The Haunting of Sunshine Girl

Chapter 47

Night has completely fallen, leaving behind a dark blanket over Portland. After dinner, Sunshine drives to the park, scanning the area upon arrival. They're here to meet their— homeless friend— and, yeah. This'll be fun. Maybe. Hopefully they don't get robbed.

Nolan and Andrew follow behind as she leads the way down the sidewalk. "Let's try it," the ginger quips as they enter the park, huge Christmas tree flashing blue and red lights back at them.

"Does anyone see her?" Nolan asks, tucking his hands deeper into his black leather jacket. He's considerably less moody, but still annoying to deal with.

"I think—" She squints, eyeing a figure next to the tree. "I think that's her over there." Sunshine makes a face.

"I think you're right." Nolan charges ahead and dramatically clears his throat. "Excuse me. Miss," he calls. "Hi. You made it."

"Hey," she nods, shrugging the green jacket over her head. "Did you guys bring me anything to eat?"

Nolan hands her the brown bag and she checks inside, dimples pointing through her smile after. "Thanks," she says warmly, zipping open her backpack to stuff the food inside.

"Yeah. Totally," Nolan replies.

"You guys sure that you wanna go?"

"Yes," all three say in unison.

"Definitely," Sunshine adds.

"There's a place where I've seen a couple of 'em hangin' out— I've never talked to one of them. I don't think you should talk to them, but..." She shrugs. "I'll take ya there."

Nolan wants to chat with one of these entities, apparently. Hah. As if.

"Yeah, please," he calmly agrees, but Sunshine figures he's pissing his pants because they're actually going to a hot spot. At least, if Greeny is right and not just lying to them.

Too late now. Sunshine actually has no idea where they're going, since they've veered away from the park and on to one of the side roads, but— y'know. They're wandering, so maybe that'll be interesting enough for her viewers if things don't happen to check out.

They stride near an overpass and Greeny gasps softly, brushing against Sunshine's jacket and tugging her close. "Woah," she breathes nervously.

"What— you just freaked out—" Sunshine tries to splutter in an annoyed voice, but is promptly cut off.

"There's one right there," Greeny says, completely serious.

Wait, what?

"What?" Nolan snaps, glaring at Greeny and peering over her shoulder at the opposite end of the shielded overpass. There's what appears to be an older kid standing there, completely dressed in black. Nolan ducks down below Greeny's height. "Shhh!"

"Settle down." Sunshine rolls her eyes at Nolan's theatrics. This is big— if it is a BEK.

"Oh my god," Greeny laughs when she twists her head back to look, "those are scary."

Sunshine slowly turns and looks at the kid, heart skipping in her chest. They're standing completely still, staring at the wall with rounded black eyes. Holy shit. Holy shit.

"Yep," Nolan says. "That's a— that's a—" He glances back over at it. "Okay, so, uh, game plan. What's goin' on..?"

"I think we should talk to her." The idea is just as stupid as it sounds when it blubbers out of Sunshine's mouth.

"We should talk— okay." Nolan shakes his head sarcastically. "All right, well— yeah. Go have fun, we'll be back here, tell us how it goes, yeah?"